Railroad Daze steams back into RR Friday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Back by popular demand it is Rainy River Railroad Daze!
After a three year hiatus the once popular annual summer festival has been rekindled in Rainy River. The last time the event was held was July of 2005. The event had been slowly spiralling downward and was eventually scrubbed.
However, due to the efforts of Rainy River’s new Community Coordinator, Anthony Mason and his wife, Sheila, the coordinator of this year’s Railroad Daze revival and a raft of volunteers, the event is back and jam packed with fun for everyone!
Had the event continued every year, this would have been the 21st Railroad Daze. Instead it is the 19th.
Beginning on Friday, as per tradition the Rainy River Seniors Club will be hosting an afternoon of entertainment and dessert on lawn at the old CNR station at 1 p.m.
Also at 1 p.m. is the United Church Penny Table in the old Village Green building on Main St.
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a community scavenger hunt. Registration must be done by 1 p.m. Saturday at the Post Office. It will wrap up on Sunday at the boat races.
At 5 p.m. the Rainy River Recreation Board will host one of the largest slo-pitch tournaments in years. They already have a full slate of teams. That will be held at the Recreation Centre.
There will be a family fun evening on the arena floor from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with midway style games.
At 6 p.m. there will be a last chance Guitar Hero Contest at the CN Hotel.
Smear is being held at the Legion 7:30 p.m. Friday.
That night, 8 p.m., there will be a comedy show at the Rec. Centre, featuring top notch professional comics from Winnipeg, including Rainy River’s own Justin Wagner! This is open to ages 16 and over.
After the comedy show local favourites The Nite Hawks will be playing at the dance at the Rec. Centre.
Saturday morning the ball tournament will continue beginning at 9 a.m.
Laser tag will be held at 10 a.m. at the Rec. Centre.
The United Church Penny Table/Silent Auction will also continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Returning to Railroad Daze after many years absent will be a model train display beginning at 9 a.m. in the old CNR station.
At 11 a.m. all eyes will be on Main St. as the always popular Railroad Daze Parade will take place.
Following the parade the Legion will hold a special dedication ceremony of the memorial howitzer at the cenotaph.
Another favourite from years gone by will begin at Noon. The Catholic Women’s League will hold a luncheon in the basement of the RR Catholic Church.
The local radio control airplane club will hold their fun fly just north of Rainy River Saturday at 10 a.m.
The Butterfly Release will be held at 10 a.m. at Hannam Park.
Also at the park will be children’s entertainer Jake Chenier at 1 p.m.
A special Farmers’ Market will be held adjacent to the 4008/Railway Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Horseback rides will be held at the Rec. Centre from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
A Road/Ball Hockey Tourney will see the center block of Main St. closed off for the afternoon on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.
The Legion will host live music entertainment from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and also their famous steak fry that evening.
The Guitar Hero finals will be held at 6 p.m. with the grand prize of a 42 inch t.v. going to the champ at the Rec. Centre.
Thunder Bay band Money Honey will perform at the Saturday night dance in the arena. Doors open at 8 and music starts at 9 p.m.
On Sunday the day will begin with slo-pitch again at 9 a.m.
An interdenominational Church Service will be held in Hannam Park at 10:30 a.m.
The Rainy River Music Festival will be held in the Park from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
The Harris Hill One Room School will be open 2-4 p.m.
And the ever popular “Great Beaver” Cardboard Duct Tape Boat Races will be held at 3:30 p.m. Regist. opens at 12:30 p.m.
The slo-pitch finals will wrap things up.